The generation of the 90's is dubbed the Boom Generation. The generation of
             today lives in a time where they have not experienced situations such as a great war or, as
             in the late 1920's, a great depression. T.H. Watkins, a professor at Montana State
             University, mentions how his students, and the people of the Boom Generation, may be
             too optimistic. This statement is not entirely true. T.H. Watkins makes this assumption
             for the entire generation solely by observing the students in his Western American studies
             class. Although it is somewhat true that many students are optimistic about their lives
             today and in the future, why is this a set back? One can agree that Professor Watkins has
             a pessimistic view on the society of today and its future.
             Of the students, Watkins states, "They save little, spend much, use their credit
             cards as if they were rubbing enchanted lamps." This generalization of the entire
             generation is inaccurate. Their are as many students spending money as their are saving
             money. And to reprimand the students who are persistent on spending their money is
             unfair. Also, who is to say that these students are spending too much money? From the
             ages 18 to 20, the ages of which Watkins speaks of, students are considered adults, but
             they are still young. These people are still at the beginnings of their lives and they should
             not have to worry about the coming of another Great Depression. In his article, Watkins
             seems as if he fears that unfortunate times are inevitable in the near future. He is
             concerned that the Boom Generation is in for a rude awakening if his apparition comes
             true. Of this he says, "But even as I envy them, I fear for them; as my mother and father's
             generation learned with brutal clarity, innocence and hope are fragile shields against the
             It is evident that Watkins takes a pessimistic view of life. He is obs
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